Controlling mechanism



M. P. HOLMES CONTROLLING MEGHANI SM Filed Dec. 20, 1923 Z3 Z4 50 J 29 174 Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICEV MORRIS P. HOLMES, or CLAREMONT, new HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR T0 sULLIVAN MA.-

CHINERY COMPANY, A coaronerron or MASSACHUSETTS.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM Application filed December 20, 1923. ,Serial No. 681,892.

My invention relates to controlling mechanisms. I

An object of my invention is to provide an improved controlling mechanism. other object of my invention is to provide an improved clutch controlling mechanism for a mining machine. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved clutch controlling mechanism for the cutting mechanism on acoal mining machine of the self-propelled type. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved clutch controlling mechanism for a cutter chain drive sprocket on a coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, low vein, longwall type whereby the adjustment of the clutch is greatly facilitated, especiallywhen the machine is operating in close quarters as in a narrow seam. These and other objects and advantages of my improved mechanisni will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one form 7 which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan elevation, partially in section, of the cutting end of a mining machine in which an illustrative form of my invention is incorporated.

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of 1, the view being partially in side elevation.

In this illustrative form of my invention I have shown a mining machine of a stand ard, self-propelled, low vein, longwall type,

generally designated 1, provided with a lon git-udinall'y extending frame 2, which includes a motor section 3, slidable on its bottom 4 on the mine bottom relative to a flexible feeding member (not shown) in a well.

- ling each having reduced end portions 11 and having key-ed thereto identical but reversely disposed sleeved pinions 12 and 13. Selectively cooperating with these pinion-s 12, 13 is an adjustable pinion 14 splined on a longitudinally extending shaft 15 disposed between and parallel with the rotor shafts and suitably j ournaled on the machine frame 2. As illustrated, this pinion 14 also has a clutch shipper ring 16 formed thereon and is adapted to be engaged by improved controlmechanism, hereinafter described. Herein, it will be observed that a bevelpinion 17 is suitably secured to the shaft 15 and disposed below and meshing with a bevel gear 18 rotatable on a vertical axis 19 within the machine frame. A spur pinion 20 is suitably secured to androtatable with the gear 18 and meshes with a spur gear 21, this gear being suitably rigidly se-- cured to the cutter chain drive sprocket 8.

In my improved construction it will be observed that a clutch shipper member 23 is pivoted at 24 on a vertical axis on the machine frame. This member is in the form of a bell-crank provided with projecting arms 25 and 26. Of these, the former is bifurcated and engages the clutch shipper ring 16 while the latter is pivotally connected, as at 27, to a rocker member 28. Herein, this rocker member 28 is pivoted at 29 intermediate its ends on the machine frame 2 and is slotted as at 30 at its ends, with which slots pins 31-and 32 engage, said pins forming pivotal connections for transversely extending members 33 and 34 which have operating portions or handles 35 and 36. In the operation of my improved mechanism it will be observed that when it is desired to adjust the position of the pinion 14 it is only necessary for the operator to kick, push by hand, or hit with a jack pipe or other tool, one or theother of the operating members 35 and 36 moving the same inwardly, thereby causing the rocker member 28 to swing the clutch shipper member 23 about its pivot 24. This operation causes the controlling pinion 14 to selectively cooperate with the pinions 12 and 13 to connect the cutter chain drive sprocket 8 with the rotor shafts 9 andlO and thereby rotate the same in opposite directions without reversing the motor.

Herein, it will further I be observed that by moving the members 33, 34 into anintermediate position the rotation of the cutter chain sprocket will be discontinued.

As a result of my improvement it willbe noted that a controlling mechanisnr of ex tremely simple, compact, and rugged character is produced which may be expeditiously operated in close quarters in a narrow seam of coal either by the foot or hand of the operator or by a jack pipe or other tool and which may be manufactured at a minimum of expense. It will further be noted 7 that by means of my invention an improved skilled in the art.

controlling mechanism for a mining machine cutter chainclutch is provided which is arrangedwithin the extreme lateral limits of the machine, thereby eliminating projecting controlling levers orthe like, a feature of especialadvantage in narrow seams of coal, These and other advantages of my inventionwill bev clearly apparent to those While I have in this application specifically described one form which my inventionlmay assume in practice, it will be understood that this form ot' the same is used for-purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other formswithout departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended 1 claims;

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is V 1. In a controlling mechanism a shiftable member operative to connectdriving driven elements, and means to operate said member mcludmga pivoted bellcranl; having an arm thereof directly connected to 7 said member and a plurality of oppositely reciprocable operating members one of which is directly connected to saidbell crank.

2. ,In a mining machine having a flange,

a motor, a cutter chain drive sprocket driven thereby, and means to connect said sprocket indriving relation with said motorinclud ing a clutch and a plurality of oppositely reci rocatin o eratin members therefor disposed behind said flange and within the lateral limits of the machine.

3. In a mining machine having a recess.

a motor, a cutter chain drive sprocketdriven thereby, andmeans to connect said sprocket in driving relation with said motorincludinga clutch and a plurality of alternatively manually operable operating members therefor arranged within said recess and the lateral limits of themachine,

45. In a mining machine, a motor, a cutter chain drive sprocket driven thereby, and

{means to connect said sprocket in driving relation with said motor including a clutch and a plurality of oppositely reciprocable membersfarranged within the lateral limits of the machine. r

5. In a mining machine, driving and driven elements, a shiftable member to connect projecting inwardly from" the surface of said mining machine.

.7. In a mining machine, driving and dr ven elements, a shittable member to connects the same, and means for eifecting said shitting including a plurality of reciprocable manually movable operating members so connected that as one is depressed the other is advanced and disposed withina recess projecting inwardly from the surface of said "mining machine, both of said latter freciprocable members being adapted to have their outer ends wholly disposed within said recess. r 1

8. In amining machine, driving and driven elements, a shiftable member to connect the same, and means for effecting shifting thereof including a plurality of oppositely reciprocal buttons disposed adjacent the side of said machine to permit the same'to be -kicked or hammered for actuation thereof.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature,

onsrs P. HOLMES.

@ERTIFICATE 0F CQRREGTMN.

Patent No. 1,645,004. Granted October 11, 1927, to

MQRRIS P. HQLMES.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed speeifieation. of the above numbered patent requiring correction as ioiiows: Page 2, line 36, claim 1, before the Word "driven" insert the word "and"; same page, line 70, claim 5, before the Word "disposed" insert the word "and", and line 99, claim 8, for the word "reciproeal read reciprocable"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent @fiice.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of November, A. D. H27.

M. J. Moore, Seal.

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

